Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at Italy‘s sports minister, Vincenzo Spadafora, who believes the Juventus star may have broken coronavirus protocols by flying back to Italy from Portugal.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner tested positive for coronavirus while on international duty with Portugal, before leaving camp on Wednesday and taking a private air ambulance to his house in Italy.

But when asked whether Ronaldo had breached Covid-19 rules, Spadafora told Rai Radio: ‘Yes, I think so, if there were no specific authorisations from the health authority.’

Cristiano Ronaldo is self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus on duty with Portugal

However, Ronaldo has since quashed that claim after taking to Instagram Live, claiming he complied with all necessary procedures.

The 35-year-old said on Instagram: ‘I’m always at home, now I’m sunbathing, also to let the days pass. I’m respecting the protocol, I did not break it, as has been said: It’s a lie.

‘I returned from Portugal because my team and I made sure to comply with all the procedures.

‘I returned to Italy by air ambulance and I have had no contact with anyone, even in Turin.’

Ronaldo also added: ‘My family is on another floor of the house, we can’t be in contact.’

Juventus had already defended Ronaldo after he returned to Italy, saying that his flight was authorised by the health authorities.

Vincenzo Spadafora said Ronaldo may have broken coronavirus rules after his positive test

Ronaldo touched down in Italy after travelling back from Portugal by air ambulance

‘Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Italy with a medical flight authorised by the competent health authorities at the request of the player and will continue his isolation at his home,’ Juventus said in a statement.

Earlier on Friday, the former Real Madrid star posted a picture on Instagram of him lounging by his swimming pool, alongside the caption: ‘Don’t let what you can’t do get in the way of what you can do.’

Due to Ronaldo having to self-isolate, he won’t be able to feature for Juventus against Crotone in Serie A and will also be absent for the Champions League clash against Dynamo Kiev.

The presence of Ronaldo for the blockbuster Champions League match on October 28 against Barcelona and Lionel Messi is also under discussion.

It is reported he will need to produce a negative Covid-19 test by October 21 to be considered eligible to face his long-time Argentine rival.

However, the Juventus star is adamant that he didn’t flout any coronavirus protocols

Ronaldo and his team-mate Weston McKennie, who has also tested positive for coronavirus, will have to remain in self-isolation for at least 10 days and will have to test negative before they are permitted to rejoin their team-mates.

After McKennie’s positive test, the entire Juventus squad has had to isolate, as a pre-caution ahead of the game against Crotone this Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro took aim at coronavirus on her Instagram page after her sibling’s positive result.

‘If Cristiano Ronaldo has to wake the world up, I have to say he really is a prophet from God. Thank you,’ she wrote.

‘I believe that today thousands of people will stop believing as much in this pandemic, in the tests and in the measures taken like me… the biggest fraud I have ever seen since I was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧. Open your eyes please.’